The Benefits of Following a Plan of Action as Outlined

Plans-of-action (business plans) are often the result of thoughtful deliberation by a group of individuals; a Board, or Executive Committee, or a Team that is dedicated to thinking things through in a comprehensive and sound manner.

For most of us in our work-a-day world, there are guidelines — plans of action that we are required to fulfill as a vital part of our employment or our livelihood.

Inevitably, there would be consequences — in terms of business costs or drawbacks that would adversely affect a given project’s outcomes — if Plans are not followed through.

Genetic Facts should not be Overlooked in Pursuit of the Truth

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For decades now, genetic science has continuously been breaking new ground regarding the ability to identify specific trout species and their ancestral lineages.

Though we are currently still without the ultimate identifiers that would tell the story of the Alvord cutthroat trout and their history, we are not entirely without clues and genetic facts that should give us pause for thought, and some clear understanding, where the trout from Guano Creek are concerned.

These clues infer a genuine prospect where Alvord cutthroat trout origins are concerned; and they irrefutably tell the story of what these rare trout are not.

The Most Difficult Summary this Author has ever had to Post

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We all know that risk is involved in an effort to propagate a completely wild strain of cutthroat trout into a population that could be utilized to restore a phenotypical representation of an extinct strain of trout. Yet positive reports from the former ODFW Fish Biologist for SE Oregon, and encouraging remarks from personnel at the hatchery, indicated that everything was on track to be a “miracle” of the 21st Century where the Alvord cutthroat trout was concerned.

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For months, I and those who have been inquiring regarding the state of the trout at Fort Klamath Hatchery have been anticipating the news of a selected location for the release of the trout, and the implementation of the very last phase of this project—the actual release of phenotypical Alvord cutthroat trout back into the wild.

Realistically, with horrible drought conditions affecting California and nearby States – this “rescue” seemed to be poised to take place just in the nick of time.

Native Salmonid Enthusiasm; Retrospection and Consideration

Of course, this is the time of the year that many folks start thinking about resolutions for the New Year; and arm chair quarterbacks are found talking about strategic game plans that their favorite teams should put in place for upcoming bowl games.

And so, why would anyone think it unusual for native trout enthusiasts to become “arm chair biologists” by putting their heads together to review, discuss and contemplate game plans for Alvord trout phenotype preservation in the next year . . . and for years to come?

So often the information shared among native trout enthusiasts, and discussions emanating from those shared realizations, has resulted in positive suggestions – or strategies – for the preservation of a given species, or strain, or for habitat improvement and preservation.

Past History, Geology – the Hope of Future Prospect & Promise

Ever since awareness of the Alvord Cutthroat Trout, and the presence of a phenotypical ACT remnant in SE Oregon came to light (eight+ years ago now), a fair amount of thought has been applied regarding the origins and development of this cutthroat subspecies.

Indeed, questions began long before the trout was considered extinct . . .

Reflections on a Desert Stream

More often than not, rain is not something Oregonians rejoice to see . . . But the onslaught of storms bringing rain to the West Coast are a welcome sight, especially since some of that moisture is beginning to make its way to southeast Oregon and ***** Creek.  Any amount of rain is a welcome relief to this drought affected region.

Reflecting on the photos of our recently stressed high desert streams, such as ***** Creek, several concerning questions seem to be worth pondering . . .

Status Progress Update: Fish Biologist and Alvord Phenotypes

No doubt, we’ve been long overdue for reaching-out to the Klamath Hatchery to find out how the juvenile phenotypical Alvord cutthroat trout have been doing.

And, long overdue for touching base with the ODFW Hines District Office of regarding their search for, and securing of, the new Fish Biologist for SE Oregon.

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The good news is that on both fronts there has been more than progress — and the present reality on both fronts seems to be positive and optimistic . . .

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Refugium: An area where special environmental circumstances enable a species to survive – after extinction in adjacent areas.

Even with some hopeful success regarding the plight and the effort to rescue a remnant of phenotypical Alvord cutthroat trout in SE Oregon (such as hopeful survival of up-to eighty phenotypes at SE Oregon’s Fort Klamath Hatchery) — yet the subject regarding how to finally perpetually save a remnant of trout bearing Alvord CT characteristics is one of increasing complexity and difficulty.

The difficulty stems from the extreme drought over the past few years, and the bitter cold that effectively froze sections of the stream this past winter, and the burns that no-doubt ran ash into this fragile low-oxygen system.  Survivors are at an all-time low (since the 2006 ODFW survey), and the stream is in a hyper-critical state.

Sad or Sober News Can be the Most Difficult Kind to Report On

Sometimes it is so difficult to write a post about Alvord phenotypes . . .  Especially when the most recent news does not seem to be particularly encouraging, uplifting, edifying . . .

Yet much as ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder;’ so it is that whether positive précises are derived, whether lasting lessons can be learned, whether constructive courses of action can be formed, whether we see the cup as not being empty — depends so on our resiliency and resolution as native trout enthusiasts — and our inclination to hope for, and to do, all that we can in behalf of a remnant of a strain of trout that may now simply number in the dozens—a few dozen—in a hatchery environment ran by employees of the State of Oregon.